Chicago opens with a bang on Mainstage Theater
Bryan Honeycutt
Issue date: 11/20/08 Section: Entertainment
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Chicago is a look at a seedy America where "The world is all show business" and the public only turns its head for sex, violence, or their winning combination. It is set in the '20s, but more closely resembles the MTV world rules by Paris Hiltons.
The leads, Madison Turner and Destinee McGinnis, play Roxie and Velma, who are both imprisoned and celebrated for murder. Twenty songs later, the judicial competition resolves and the limelight shines elsewhere. Despite the despondent view of the media and public as a whole, the script also speaks to the human need for attention.
Grady and Dehorney had relatively small roles in the play, but a great presence and dominated the scenes they were in. Aultman's role as Billy Flynn was akin to a greasy car salesman more than a suave lawyer. The opening scene's choreography was mechanical and stilted at first, but the dancers quickly loosened up.
The singing and music seemed overshadowed by the pirouettes and high kicks. It was as though the orchestra was afraid to intrude when it needed to the most. There was a diverse range in vocals and a few attempts at Chicago accents, but they were occasionally muted by technical errors.
The stage design wasn't as flashy as would be expected from a play about razzle dazzle "and all that jazz" and the background screen seemed out of place. The greatest disappointment came from malfunctioning microphones and other sound errors. Lighting was excellent without being overbearing.
This year's production of Chicago was entertaining but lacked the energy that should accompany the flashy script. It received many laughs and a standing applause for strong performances.
Upcoming events from the Department of Theatre include Angels in America: Millenium Approaches by Tony Kushner and directed by Tom Prior. This will be the first Mainstage production for the spring semester and will run Feb. 18-21. Call the box office (936) 294-1339 for tickets or more information.
Chicago by John Kander and Fred Ebb; directed and choreographed by Jonathan Charles; costume design by Kristana Hanssen; musical director/conductor Dr. Laura Avery, Set design by Gregg Buck; light designer and technical director Eric Marsh; projection designer Josh Kent; Sound by Michael Weiss and Kevin Chubirka.
STARRING: William Dehorney (Master of Ceremonies), Madison Turner (Roxie), Destinee McGinnis (Velma), Eric Aultman (Billy Flynn), Sam Weeks (Amos), Jacqui Grady (Mama Morton), P. Sanchez (Mary Sunshine).
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 11
stdjxm29
Suprised
posted 11/20/08 @ 3:39 PM CST
I am very suprised at this review. Actually I have been very suprised at all the theatre reviews from this writer. After reading this final instalment for the semester I have come to realize that he does not do his research on the shows he is reviewing before or after seeing them, which to me shows a big lack of professional ethic. (Continued…)
mtnester
mtnester
posted 11/25/08 @ 11:28 PM CST
It seems to me that for one to review a show, one must have some sense of what the show is all about. It is quite obvious that this writer has not done any research on the actual musical before viewing this show and writing his review. (Continued…)
D-King
posted 11/26/08 @ 12:59 AM CST
First of all, speaking of professionalism, I think that the students at the theatre department should be more respectful that their play/publication is even being publicly advertised through the Houstonian after all the flack they've given this writer and his co-workers about this review and previous ones. (Continued…)
Suprised
posted 11/26/08 @ 12:10 PM CST
Just one comment on the last comment posted. This is our school. All of our school. He would not go to the Sammy Awards and say, well they "The Sammy Awards sucked because of. (Continued…)
Suprised
posted 11/26/08 @ 12:20 PM CST
Oh and I see that I needed to spell check up above as well, but there isn't an option. See what a little proof reading can get ya?
jwill
posted 11/26/08 @ 8:45 PM CST
In todays Houstonian, a review was published over Sam Houston Theatre's performance of Chicago: A Musical Vaudeville; obviously Bryan Honeycutt did not enjoy the performance. (Continued…)
jwill
JWill
posted 11/26/08 @ 8:48 PM CST
In todays Houstonian, a review was published over Sam Houston Theatre's performance of Chicago: A Musical Vaudeville; obviously Bryan Honeycutt did not enjoy the performance. (Continued…)
BBO
posted 11/27/08 @ 9:35 AM CST
I watched this show on opening night because my English class required me to see it and I enjoyed it tremendously! I thought it was an amazing performance and I had never been to an actual play before. (Continued…)
Misty
posted 11/27/08 @ 12:21 PM CST
All the theatre majors and anyone else who wants to slander this newspaper needs to chill out and quit trying to "cry wolf" because there was a review that didn't meet their expectations. (Continued…)
JWill
posted 11/27/08 @ 8:15 PM CST
Now the real story comes out...
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